Ohio Eminent Scholar of German

Ohio Eminent Scholar of German

Germanic Languages and Literatures

College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at The Ohio State University seeks applications for the position of Ohio Eminent Scholar in German. This is an endowed, tenure-track position at the Associate or Full Professor level. The Ohio Eminent Scholars (OES) Program, created by the Ohio General Assembly and administered by the Ohio Board of Regents, aims to enhance the national eminence of selected outstanding academic programs at Ohio universities by attracting nationally recognized scholars. Our goal is to hire a distinguished scholar who will expand our range of specializations, whether in terms of content or method, and play a dynamic role in curricular development, program building, graduate student advising and recruitment, and fostering a diverse, inclusive and innovative culture.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: Ph.D. in German or a related field; A strong record of scholarly accomplishment and demonstrated success in teaching and program building.

Desired: A record of collaborative and multi-disciplinary research; experience creating and maintaining cross-departmental or inter-institutional initiatives; commitment to and experience mentoring early-career faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students from a diversity of backgrounds and communities; some experience presenting scholarship to general audiences. Candidates should also demonstrate attentiveness to building a diverse intellectual community in alignment with Ohio State’s shared values (see below).

How to Apply

Apply to the Careers at Ohio State website at https://osujoblinks.com/gpvd. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and separate research and teaching statements.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FOUR documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity. The letter shouldn’t exceed two pages.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.

You will be asked for names and contact information for three reference letters at a later date.

Review of applications will begin on December 10th and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to Paul Reitter at reitter.4@osu.edu.

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success. 

Department Information

Ohio State’s Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, which includes vibrant programs in Scandinavian and Yiddish studies, is one of the oldest and most distinguished German departments in the nation. It has maintained a tradition of intellectual rigor and cutting-edge research, fostering an environment that encourages collaborative exploration and interdisciplinary scholarship. It is home to a diverse faculty with intellectual and disciplinary breadth, who conduct research across all periods of literary, cultural, and intellectual history in German-speaking Europe. The department also boasts in-depth specializations including Germanic philology and linguistics, aesthetic philosophy, minority literature, colonial and post-colonial studies, language pedagogy, Afro-German history, ecocriticism, film studies, gender studies, cultural theory, public humanities, German-Jewish studies, and both the theory and practice of translation. In Autumn 2023, the department proudly inaugurated the groundbreaking Umwelt Center, a visionary initiative committed to exploring intersections of Environmental Humanities with Germanic Studies. Read more about our department here.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment.The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.  

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.